The principal elements of the nature of science: dispelling the myths - W. F. McComas
15 myths about Science
1. Regarding the first myth, do you think cookbook analogy will help students understand the difference between laws and theories?
- theories not as strong as laws. laws and theories are different kind of knowledge. laws are cookbooks an so work exactly as described. there was some concern about laws not being exactly as cookbooks. theory as recipe? different ways of thinking is hard. theories more in biology and there are more laws in physics. there will never be law of evolution. theory of evolution can never become law of evolution. It is not the lack of evidence but it cannot be a law. Even laws are not necessarily absolute. Particle accelerator. biology has always been qualitative.
2. how to get students to understand that science is not absolute?
- examples from history where things have changed. An example is the earth not centre of solar system. the reality is that science is done by human beings and human beings make mistakes and also make choices on what we present or bring out to the world (example, Mendel's work). funding is huge deal and if there is no funding research does not take place. pressure to make it seem that there are proper results.
3. what is the difference between science providing guidance for questions or morals for questions?
-issues around religion (myth 8). it can provide guidance but not answers. nobody knows how life originated and many people believe that god created earth. Science can have experiments of creating primordial soup but can't actually answer the question. there are many issues with the questions in life. abortion is a moral decision and science can not say if it is right or wrong to have abortion. technical knowledge is provided not answer.
15 myths about Science
1. Regarding the first myth, do you think cookbook analogy will help students understand the difference between laws and theories?
- theories not as strong as laws. laws and theories are different kind of knowledge. laws are cookbooks an so work exactly as described. there was some concern about laws not being exactly as cookbooks. theory as recipe? different ways of thinking is hard. theories more in biology and there are more laws in physics. there will never be law of evolution. theory of evolution can never become law of evolution. It is not the lack of evidence but it cannot be a law. Even laws are not necessarily absolute. Particle accelerator. biology has always been qualitative.
2. how to get students to understand that science is not absolute?
- examples from history where things have changed. An example is the earth not centre of solar system. the reality is that science is done by human beings and human beings make mistakes and also make choices on what we present or bring out to the world (example, Mendel's work). funding is huge deal and if there is no funding research does not take place. pressure to make it seem that there are proper results.
3. what is the difference between science providing guidance for questions or morals for questions?
-issues around religion (myth 8). it can provide guidance but not answers. nobody knows how life originated and many people believe that god created earth. Science can have experiments of creating primordial soup but can't actually answer the question. there are many issues with the questions in life. abortion is a moral decision and science can not say if it is right or wrong to have abortion. technical knowledge is provided not answer.